Tuesday, September 30, 2014

So, just going to be straight forward about this. In this household we are big fans of Disney in general and specially Brave. This set was mostly bought because the Spousal Equivalent wanted Merida but I have a rule about reviewing ALL THE SETS!

This is what the SE wanted; the Minifigs.

Can you build some sort of creation right away?

HVA, all from the Set including Base.

So I made this little ship that I think is a decent HVA including a base and you can change the angle. Though with so many pieces you think I could also get a frame or other stuff out of it but I could not. Also I added the tree from the set to my collection. +5 points.

Parts 1

Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?(10 Cents Per Part)

Parts 2

$19.99 / 145 pieces = $0.14 per part, Wow that is pricey! I got this on sale thankfully. -10 points.

Parts 3

If you can't build a creation right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?

Parts 4

There are certainly several parts for building just about anything. +5 points

Plate

Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?

With a set this large this get's a bit harder to define. I am going to say yes plus four 4x4 plates! +5 points.

Built!

Total:With only 5 points (because of the ratio) we have a B+ set but with that steep price maybe B. I like the tree for terrain but the big pieces for the wall are just about useless for MF0.

Monday, September 22, 2014

So I picked this up at Five Below awhile ago, and they had these in there for awhile. Also seen them in Toys R Us recently so might still be around though technically I believe this is a out of print set.

Parts 1

Can you build some sort of creation right away?

I could not think of anything but I believe others have been successful but I am sticking to my results on this review. On the other hand I think the set builds might be usable in other areas so I am going with a score of 0 for this question.

If you can't build a creation right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away? Decent amount of common pieces but nothing in the 'frame skeleton' range but still quite a few. +5

Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts? Another close call and part of me wants to give a zero but will say yes over all giving this set a +5.

Plane

Total: Well this should be interesting.5 Below: We have 10 points giving us a A- set.Original Price and Others: We have 0 points for a B set.Going over the Golden Ratio can be quite the problem it seems! Well the two places in this set look great and quite in the 7p scale spirit. With say three more of the right pieces for landing gear they could go great on the table as part of the terrain aka some kind of airport or airforce base look. The shuttle is clearly another scale but could be nice looking in Intercept Orbit once given some systems.

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Also a Target find and is the SECOND set for their Halloween section this year. Well let's get this started.

HVA? Black is hart to Photograph...

Can you build some sort of creation right away?

I made a small little space ship, I tried to make a frame but couldn't get that together. Though I like to see the below as a cockpit for a frame. +5

Cockpit

Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio? (Ten cents per part)

$3.99/45 parts equals 9 cents per part so below the Golden Ratio! +5

Parts 1 - Black Sun?

If you can't build a creation right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?

There are a few common frame parts in here but not a lot. Again, they like to use plates to make 'plane' shaped objects at this scale. +5

Parts 2

Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?

That is where things fall short, too many plates and such vs common frame parts. -5

Parts 3

Total:Well this set garnishes an A- unlike it counter part. Plus you could use the Batwing build itself for Intercept Orbit. I don't care much for the missiles that come with it but could add things to it.

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Well this is another capture from Target and seems to be one of TWO sets in the Halloween section this year. I don't have high hopes for this set but there is some interesting stuff going on here. Let's open up this poly bag!

Parts 1

Can you build some sort of creation right away? Nope, I got nothing with this set. -5

Parts 2

Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?(10 cents per part)$3.49 (Yes, that is what I typed) / 39 parts equals 9 cents per part going under the golden ratio for +5 points!

Parts 3

If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?Well this on the other hand is true. Look we have a total of THREE Taps, white but still taps. The skies...I like them but seem kind of big...though I am sure someone will use them as feet. A few other useful parts but not much. +5

Parts 4

Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?This is sort of a close call but I am going to lean toward no, yes maybe if one of the plates was a 4x4. -5

Parts Focus

Total:We have a total for 0 points for a B grade set. Wasn't really surprised but at least you know you are getting some taps for under 4 dollars. Again the ski parts are interesting and I wouldn't mind the Arctic symbol making it way onto the build of a ship or a frame.

It was great! I don't think it will be a super hit but I think it will certain make enough to keep them going to the other books! It is an actiony film with a bit of thriller but with a fast pace to it. If you are a fan of the book(s) I don't think you will be terribly disappointed in the film.

Despite the changes which most I can understand in a book vs movie format kind of why I am very ok with. They kept the spirit of the book alive in this film and I am looking forward to the next one.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

So Dark Cloud Blogs (Basically me) is looking to expand the blog entries outside of the reviews and utilizing the Youtube channel along with other stuff. This is what we are looking at. Warning, Hyperlinks ahead!

Demo Vid and Youtube in general: If you haven't noticed I have been utilizing Youtube for 360 views of the builds. Next on the list is posting a full on Demo and well it is in the works still. I am looking for a software to edit that can do what I want in my budget along with who I want in the vid. I want to be filming before the end of Oct. Also in that line is a series of MF0 rules break down vids. Maybe even a few full regular game vids.

WordPlay with Nika Harper: WordPlay is Nika Harper's writing exercise series on the Geek and SundryYoutube Channel. I wanted to be part of it last season but season 2 is about to start. I plan to catch up over a weekend and follow through with Season 2 posting my writings here!

An actual review of Mobile Frame Zero: Rapid Attack. Why? Something to share with your friends to hopefully get them to play.

Why I Heart MF0: Again something to show your friends.

Scales and Sizes of MFO/Intercept Orbit: Basically a collected reference with real life comparisons.

Well there it is if you were wondering. This should be fun and interesting.

Sunday, September 14, 2014

So I got this at Toys R Us, it part of this current cycle 'Buy $30 worth of LEGO and get this set free special' or you can just buy it. What we have is a mini ARC-170 Starfighter which of course I wondered if this could be the Umbaran MHC of Intercept Orbit? Maybe, lets find out?

Can you build some sort of creation right away?Well I tried to build something out of it besides the Arc-170 but I could not figure anything out but the ship itself could work in Intercept Orbit I think. +5

Parts 1...and cat...

Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?(Ten Cents Per Part)Got this for $3.99 with 54 parts. That gives us 7 cents per part! +5

Gunship Lead?

If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away? Some regular parts that are used for weapons, accents and such. Not a lot of 'frame work' pieces though. +5

Far the Long Guns!

Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?Here is our sort coming because it does not. The large amount of plates throw it off. Seems they like to use stacks of plates to make this mini ships. -5Total:We have 10 points for a status of A-. Well it not quite an Intercept Orbit version of the MHC but close. We shall keep on looking! The Antenna on back could be a Spot while the Guns on the side well Weapon Systems of some kind.

Saturday, September 6, 2014

So on my hunt to get the last of the Series Three Mixels I came across this retired set from last year at Toys R Us. I found it at my local store but it seems to be online as well. Most likely clearly out back stock from the warehouses. I mostly picked this up to put on display but lets see what kind of trouble we can get into with it.

Can you build some sort of creation right away?I made a Jack o' Lantern! Does that count? What do you mean it doesn't? So not cool man...Alright, I tried to get something else out of it and I could not and tech I don't think we could field Jack? Though I am seriously thinking about using it for cover after Oct or even...in Intercept Orbit. What, the asteroid miners had some extra time on their hands... -5..Technically...

Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?(FYI: 10 cents per part)Well I picked this up for $5.99 but the original listed price is $4.99.$5.99/52 = $0.12 Above -10$4.99/52 = $0.10 Meet +0The Dollar certainly makes a difference.

Parts

If you can't build a creation right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away? Orange! I mean yes, there a certainly a few parts that get used in builds, just not a lot. Certainly could make the biggest brightest wall with these! +5

What kind of Line Up is this?

Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?This is a no, too many plates and long bricks to balance out. -5

Captain...Jack O' Lantern on the Starboard side!

Totals:Well I got two because of the price difference.$5.99 = C$4.99 = BSo for the price I paid for it we have a C set but if you can find it for the SRP then it becomes a B set...and if you like some of my ides then maybe a B+. On a side note the model built is hollow. Happy All Hollow's Eve, early that is.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Where is the credit to Mantis King? It is now a permanent link above. I hope this is cool, let me know if it is not.

The Box

So I picked this up at 5 Below figuring that this would be another set to warn others away from much like this one. I was sort of surprised but I will break that all down through out the review.

Can you build some sort of creation right away?Well, no this set pretty much can only build it self. -5 points

Parts 1

Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio? (10 cents per part)I got this for only a $1 with 31 pieces giving us a part per price of 3 cents. That is certainly below the ration for +5 points.

The Bot and the Cart

If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?Yes, there are several pieces that get used in builds and with that I will say I was rather surprised at the quality of the product. It near LEGO in both plastic and molding. The 'hand clip' of the 1x1 modified bricks are slightly loser but not much. At a glance you would easily mistake this for LEGOs. +5 points

Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?This is a negative though, some useful parts but not a lot over all but at the price does it matter? -5 pointsTotal:So our point total gives us a B so not that bad, maybe a + given how low the ratio is. So the question is am I going to go out and get more? Most likely not unless I like that green on the 'hood' piece suddenly but I might go out and give the other sets a shot.